October 15th, 2008
Indigenous groups all over Colombia have mobilized themselves both physically and through the widespread use of the media with a view to exercise their rights, both to life and to be the rightful owners of their own territory. They use the collective name ‘minga’ that helps to unite all the disparate indigenous groups under one common ideology and reinforces the idea that they are together pursuing the same goal. All those who belong to the national ‘minga’ movement and other sympathizers reject the attitude of the national government that has often persecuted and denied indigenous rights by impeding the mobility of the native people, by persecution, prosecution, disappearances and even assassinations.
The indigenous people of Colombia defend their right to protect their cultural patrimony, to live with dignity, to access all social services, to education, to basic necessities (water, light and a ready supply of food), all of which have been denied to them since the
colonization of Latin America. The methods by which the people are claiming their rights are passive and non violent. Following the assassination of Nicolás Valencia Lemus, one form of protest has been the burial of his body as a symbolic, ritual act showing resistance to violence as well as an affirmation of their traditional relationship with earth. In addition to cultural and traditional celebrations, mass demonstrations have been organized with up to fifteen thousand people taking part in a single march.
However, it is not just the indigenous people themselves who are taking direct action. It is estimated that nationally up to twenty thousand individuals are acting to show their support for the minga cause. Unions, students and social organizations can be seen to take part in various other activities such as providing background legal advice or sometimes to participate more actively like at the Atlantic University where students are blocking the main streets around the building to raise awareness of the minga movement.
Whereas the action by and on behalf of the indigenous citizens has been passive, the reaction of the army and police has been anything but. In the last fifteen days nineteen people have been killed with thirtytwo injured and it is very likely that the numbers will increase. Police and military action has included aerial monitoring, the use of tear gas in areas where woman and children are known to live, holding large groups of people against their will and shooting those who attempt to escape. Websites have been censored and even deactivated, for example that of the ACIN (Asociacion de Cabildos Indígenas del Norte de Cauca) association, an indigenous organisation.
Above is the reality that the indigenous people face daily. Yet despite the violence they are subjected to these protests will not end, the mobilizations will continue and the minga will carry on searching for solutions to their problems through passive, non violent protest until the government takes notice and the attacks against them cease.
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